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Hello,

I was hoping to get some clarification as to what features are included in AOS Starter.  I usually use the following link as a guide:

Nutanix Software Editions & Licensing: Solutions to Run on Our Appliances

The above link states that “Basic Compression (LZ4) - Inline and post process” are included starter.  However as soon as I enable post compression I get a license violation notice.  In prism element it also shows the available features for starter and post compressions shows as yes:

Is post compression available in Starter?

 

Also the link states that lz4hc compression is not available for Starter but running the following command on a starter clusters show it is available and compressing data:

curator_cli display_data_reduction_report

 

Has something changed to make lz4hc available to starter?

 

Is there another document or link with a comprehensive list of features available for each edition?

 

Thanks,

--Zip

hey @zip , that is correct Basic Compression (LZ4) - Inline and post-process are supported in Starter license.

 

Whereas I am pretty sure that Deep Compression (LZ4HC) - Greater efficiency for cold data is not supported for a Starter license.

 

I think the license violation issue must be a GUI issue or a bug will have to check with the Licensing team.

 

But https://www.nutanix.com/products/software-options is the best documentation available for the licensing information. 

 

 

Hey Anish,

Thanks for the response. I have two follow up questions:

  1. Is it correct to say that you can only have inline compression or post process compression but you cannot have both enabled a the same time.  
  1. Since Deep Compression(LZ4HC) works on cold data I assume it is done using post-process compression.  Is it safe to assume that inline-compression does not use “Deep Compression(LZ4HC)?

Hey @zip , Both of your points are correct. :smile:

Inline compression - Data is compressed before it is written.

Post-process Compression-  Once the data cools down it is then eligible to become compressed i.e after it passes the compression delay.  All new write I/O are written in an uncompressed state.  After the compression delay (configurable) is met, the data is eligible to become compressed in this scenario.

 

This is a great video which highlights the difference between both: 

 

Normal data will be compressed using LZ4 which provides a very good blend between compression and performance. For cold data, LZ4HC will be leveraged to provide an improved compression ratio.

 

Nutanix Bible explains it in a very detailed and understandable manner: https://nutanixbible.com/#anchor-book-of-aos-compression

 

Hope it helps mate. :smile:  Let me know if I can help in any other way.

Hey Anish,

 

Prior to posting here I watched that video and also read that link but was still uncertain.

 

Thanks to Nutanix’s excellent documentation I understand how inline compression and post compression work.  I also understand that LZ4HC works on cold data. 

 

If I have Compression delay set to zero as seen in this picture:

 

 

 

My question is: Is it correct to assume if delay is set to zero there will be NO post-process compression.  In addition since LZ4HC is a post-compression process I assume there will be no LZ4HC compression either.

Thanks,

--Zip

 

Hey @zip yes, that is absolutely correct, i.e if the delay is set to zero there will be NO post-process compression and it will be INLINE compression.

 

Exactly, with INLINE compression, there will be no LZ4HC compression too.

 

Both your points are correct. :smile:

 

I hope I cleared your doubts. Let me know if I can help in any other way.

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